MultiChoice not out of the woods just yet

Icasa is considering whether or not to investigate allegations of corruption against satellite broadcaster MultiChoice.

Satellite television broadcaster MultiChoice is not out of the woods yet, as South Africa’s communications watchdog is considering whether to investigate allegations against the broadcaster or not.

MultiChoice is in a rather uncomfortable position at present, following a revelation by the Democratic Alliance that the broadcaster had paid for government influence.

In the report released by the DA, it is alleged that minutes from a meeting with the board of the public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), and MultiChoice showed that the broadcaster had attempted to pay SABC R100-million in exchange for its influence over government’s position on set-top boxes.

The DA pointed out that these minutes support the allegations that MultiChoice had paid ANN7 for similar influence.

The party has officially requested that the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) investigate the allegations.

Icasa has said that it is still deliberating on whether to pursue an investigation or not.

“We have received a letter from the DA but we currently don’t have a position because council is still deliberating on the issue, as soon as we have a considered view, it is then that we will be able to explain if there will be an investigation or not,” Palesa Maleka said on behalf of Icasa.